Hezbollah chief says group is fighting in Syria

BEIRUT – The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah says his Shiite militant group will not stand idly by while its chief ally Syria is under attack.

Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah says Hezbollah members are fighting in Syria against Islamic extremists who pose a danger to Lebanon.

Nasrallah's comments Saturday marked the first time he has publically confirmed his men were fighting in Syria.

They are also his first since Hezbollah fighters have become deeply involved in the battle for of the central Syrian town of Qusair.

He said tens of thousands of Islamic extremists from all over the world have been sent to Syria to fight the regime, but Hezbollah sends "a few" fighters and it is accused of intervening in the conflict.